East Chambers’ run-based offense will still be led by senior QB Hank Jones but will have new rushers and reveivers. Sophomore RB Glenn Roberts is “going to be special,” said Valastro, who hopes seniors Kevin Carr and Dallas Gibson can be go-to targets for Jones. A dual-threat QB, Jones rushed for 1,308 yards at 20 TDs and threw for 1,079 yards and 9 TDs.

Did you know?

The Bucs’ 15-year streak of qualifying for the playoffs is the second-longest among Southeast Texas schools. Only Newton’s 16-year streak is longer. Playoff qualification this season might be a bit tougher. The UIL’s biannual realignment has put five 2009 playoff qualifiers in the Bucs’ eight-team district. “Those are the cards that got dealt to us,” Velastro said.

Say what?

“I like him running the football because he’s a downhill runner, and when he gets hit he lowers his shoulder,” Valastro said of Jones, a 6-foot-3, 202-pounder considered by the coach to be a legit college prospect. Valastro said Jones is a punishing runner for any defender. “If you’re going to bring him down, he will make you pay for it,” he said.